Can I Buy Driver's Insurance Without a Car
Many car insurance companies offer non-owners car insurance, but it is important to know exactly what this type of car insurance covers and how much you will pay. Non owner car insurance usually includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage and is quite useful for drivers who rent cars. This guide will help you know what non owner car insurance covers and why buying car insurance without owning a car may be right for your situation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage to drivers who don't own a car but still require insurance coverage.
- It does not cover any of your injuries or damage to the car if you are responsible for an accident.
- Based on Insurance.com's rate analysis, non-owner car insurance policy costs $474 a year on average.
- A non-owner car insurance policy is for drivers who don't own a vehicle and are not regular drivers.
What is non owner car insurance?
Generally, the various types of car insurance can be availed only after you own a car. But non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage for drivers who need car insurance without a car. It pays for injuries and damages you cause in an accident when you're driving a car that someone else owns. Non-owners car insurance typically comes into play as a secondary coverage if the car owner's insurance falls short in paying for the repair and medical bills. That means the insurance policy on the car you're borrowing will be used first, and then your non-owners insurance policy kicks in if you have higher liability limits than the car owner.
For example, let's say your non-owner's policy has $40,000 in property damage liability, and the owner of the car you're driving has $20,000 in property damage liability. You borrow the car and cause an accident with $30,000 in damages, leaving $10,000 to be paid by you (or your friend). Your non-owner's policy would cover the extra $10,000 because your limits are higher and you have coverage.
However, non-owners car insurance won't cover damage to the car you're driving or cover your injuries if you're at fault for an accident.
Non-owners car insurance is a good fit for you if you frequently rent vehicles or drive someone else's car, or are trying to keep continuous coverage during the time you don't own a vehicle. Additionally, non owner car insurance is used by high-risk drivers who are required to buy a liability policy to keep a driver's license.
Can you get car insurance without a car?
Yes. Guidelines vary, but typically an insurer will require that:
- You have a valid driver's license.
- You do not own a vehicle.
- Some insurers also require that no one in your household owns a vehicle and that you do not have regular access to a vehicle.
How much does non owner car insurance cost?
The average rate for a non-owner car insurance policy is $474 a year, based on a rate analysis by Insurance.com's data analysts and editors.
Non-owner auto insurance costs vary, but this coverage is usually less expensive than policies covering a vehicle. Insurers view those who don't own cars as less risky because they don't have regular access to a car. Factors influencing cost include:
- The amount of liability insurance coverage you want
- Your driving history
- Your geographical location
Depending on your record, high-risk auto insurance may be necessary. If this is the case, your non-owner policy is likely to cost you more than it would for someone with a clean record.
Drivers may be considered "high-risk" if their record includes:
- A DUI conviction
- Reckless driving
- Multiple traffic offenses within a short time frame
- Driving without insurance
If you're seeking license reinstatement, your state may require higher liability limits than it does for others. Higher limits will cost a little more.
In some cases, it may be necessary to file an SR-22 form with your state. Filing a non owner SR22 insurance form won't add to your car insurance policy cost, but the insurer may charge a one-time filing fee of up to $25. The following table provides example auto-insurance rates for drivers in Southern California. It compares and provides liability coverage quotes for both a car owner and a non-owner.
Non owner car insurance average costs of by state:
| State | Average non-owner car insurance cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $519 |
| Alaska | $300 |
| Arizona | $491 |
| Arkansas | $490 |
| California | $286 |
| Colorado | $381 |
| Connecticut | $901 |
| Delaware | $869 |
| District of Columbia | $521 |
| Florida | $902 |
| Georgia | $637 |
| Hawaii | $443 |
| Idaho | $264 |
| Illinois | $335 |
| Indiana | $308 |
| Iowa | $246 |
| Kansas | $342 |
| Kentucky | $415 |
| Louisiana | $810 |
| Maine | $280 |
| Maryland | $788 |
| Massachusetts | $664 |
| Michigan | $1,073 |
| Minnesota | $655 |
| Mississippi | $322 |
| Missouri | $361 |
| Montana | $331 |
| Nebraska | $283 |
| Nevada | $695 |
| New Hampshire | $457 |
| New Jersey | $1,090 |
| New Mexico | $337 |
| New York | $483 |
| North Carolina | $406 |
| North Dakota | $340 |
| Ohio | $310 |
| Oklahoma | $320 |
| Oregon | $524 |
| Pennsylvania | $483 |
| Rhode Island | $972 |
| South Carolina | $351 |
| South Dakota | $235 |
| Tennessee | $456 |
| Texas | $528 |
| Utah | $656 |
| Vermont | $394 |
| Virginia | $290 |
| Washington | $283 |
| West Virginia | $450 |
| Wisconsin | $171 |
| Wyoming | $300 |
What does a non owner car insurance policy cover?
Non-owner auto insurance policies generally cover liability (bodily injury and property damage only). Liability insurance covers injuries or property damage that you're legally liable for as a result of an auto accident. It does not cover your rented or borrowed vehicle if it gets damaged or stolen while you're using it.
With a non-owner insurance policy, you can purchase different liability limits. If your state has demanded that you file an SR-22 or FR-44 financial responsibility form, the state may dictate what liability coverage amount you should obtain.
In certain states, non-owner auto insurance can provide medical or uninsured motorist coverage. Non-owner insurance does not include the following types of coverages:
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Towing reimbursement
- Rental reimbursement
Your non-owner liability coverage can be used as secondary coverage if you borrow someone's car and are in an auto accident; the car owner's auto insurance serves as the primary insurance.
Some insurers offer non-owner auto policies that extend coverage to rental cars. If you buy non-owner auto insurance to cover you when renting vehicles, you should check with your insurer to confirm your policy includes rental cars. Keep in mind that rental car companies usually are required, by law, to provide the state minimum liability coverage for their cars.
Is non owner car insurance for you?
So, do you need non-owner auto insurance?
Typically a non-owner policy is available to motorists who:
- Have a valid driver's license (or can get one by obtaining a car insurance policy)
- Don't own a vehicle
- Don't have regular access to a car
If you plan on having a gap in owning a car, obtaining a non-owner insurance policy to maintain continuous insurance coverage is a wise idea. Continuous coverage can make you eligible for discounted rates -- and keeps you from rate hikes typically given to those who have a gap in coverage.
Insurers define "regular access to a car" in various ways, with some viewing it as using a vehicle as little as once per week or four times per month.
In certain cases, you may even opt for a non-owner policy when you own a vehicle. If you're required to file a certificate, such as an SR-22 or FR-44, and your current carrier does not offer them, you can take out a supplementary non-owner policy with another company to meet this obligation. Because your vehicle won't be covered by this secondary policy, the extra costs involved in this strategy are usually low.
Who should not buy personal non owner insurance?
The following scenarios indicate that non-owner auto insurance isn't the right fit for you.
- You own a car. If you own a car, you can shop for auto insurance using our quote comparison tool by entering zip code that allows you to compare car insurance quotes side-by-side from top insurance companies. It's free and people have saved an average of $555 when purchasing using this online tool.
- You're listed as a primary driver of a vehicle. Some car insurance companies won't allow you to buy a non-owner policy if there are too many primary drivers and vehicles listed on a policy. If a policy lists three drivers and three cars, and you're one of the drivers, you will be listed as the primary driver on the third vehicle and won't be able to buy non-owner car insurance.
- You are using a vehicle for business purposes. A commercial non-owner policy is better suited for this situation.
- You cannot get a valid license within 30 days. If you are currently without a valid license and will not be able to get one shortly, you cannot obtain a non-owner policy.
How to buy non owner car insurance?
To purchase a non-owner auto insurance policy, you need only your driver's license number and a credit or debit card. You can get proof of insurance almost immediately by e-mail, and the car insurance company you choose can file an SR-22 or other required state form on your behalf, if you need it.
You must speak with an agent to obtain a non-owner car insurance quote.
Follow these steps to buy non owner insurance
- Contact an auto insurer agent about the coverage. If non owner sr22 insurance is required, provide the agent with your state notification number (if applicable -- not all states require this).
- Supply basic driving history.
- Receive information on available companies and insurance rate quotes.
- Choose the company and quote that best meets your needs.
- Supply a down payment to begin coverage. The amount required varies greatly by company and state.
- The agent completes the purchase. In most cases, the insurance company files an SR-22 directly with your state, if necessary.
Non owner car insurance companies
For non-owner policies, you can contact the following carriers. Note, however, that not all companies do business in all states.
- Progressive
- Geico
- Infinity
- Dairyland
- The General
- State Farm
- Safe Auto
- Direct
- Allstate
- Nationwide
Who has cheap non owner car insurance?
Finding who has the cheapest non-owner insurance quotes involves the same steps as finding the lowest cost standard policy. You want to compare quotes zip code from at least three insurance companies to see who has the lowest rate. Among the major carriers surveyed by Insurance.com, Geico non-owner car insurance is the cheapest car insurance rate, on average. You'll see how major carriers compare on quotes for non owner insurance, and that you can save up to $300 by comparison shopping.
| Company | Non-Owner Yearly Rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $311 |
| State Farm | $408 |
| Farmers | $521 |
| Progressive | $576 |
| Allstate | $638 |
| Nationwide | $677 |
Can I Buy Driver's Insurance Without a Car
Source: https://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/faq/insurance-for-non-car-owner.aspx